Chatterbox - 260313

CHATTER BOX Your fortnightly bulletin for SaTH colleagues and events Friday 13 March 2026

The 2025 Staff Survey results are now available. Thank you to everyone who participated - your feedback is vital for guiding improvements across our Group and supporting both staff and patients.

With 50% completion in ShropCom and 46% in SaTH, we are committed to acting on your input to improve work life and care.

Survey results show steady progress but also highlight ongoing challenges, especially during a demanding year. We remain dedicated to fostering a supportive environment amid transformation and financial pressures, ensuring staff wellbeing is always a priority.

Key improvements in ShropCom include more appraisals, better staffing levels, increased flexible working and not working any additional paid hours per week, over and above contracted hours. In SaTH, there are more appraisals, expanded flexible working options, stronger manager support, and greater recognition.

Common themes emerged: colleagues want to feel safe raising concerns, be involved in decisions, and see career development and wellbeing prioritised.

Tackling burnout and building a caring culture are top objectives.

Your feedback drives our ambition for a more compassionate workplace. In 2026/27, we will partner with experts - including Tim Keogh, cofounder of A Kind Life, and Susy Cook, CEO of Advancing Quality Alliance (AQuA) - to enhance kindness, leadership, and team development, supported by NHS England investment. Over the past year, we have also been supported by Bethany with Group Board development, and she will remain our Board facilitator for 2026/27.

We aim to build inclusive teams and deliver better care for both staff and patients. Alongside cultural improvements, we continue to focus on reducing waiting times, improving planned care, neighbourhood working, urgent and emergency services, and relieving staff pressure.

Join Jo and Rhia if you would like to hear more at our online Staff Survey feedback sessions on 16 and 17 March (Join on 16 March or on 17 March), and help make 2026/27 a year of meaningful change.

Further details about our culture initiatives will follow soon.

Thank you for your dedication and care.

Celebrating Healthcare Science Week Healthcare science is described as the scientific backbone of the NHS with healthcare scientists contributing to about 80% of patients’ diagnoses through research and direct patient care, according to NHS England.

With over 50 specialisms across Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Physiological Sciences, and Clinical Bioinformatics, anyone with a curious, innovative and a technical mind, can build an impactful and rewarding career. Professor Jason Kasraie, Lead Healthcare Scientist, has made a short video which you can watch here.

Dr Rick Sims, Consultant Clinical Scientist Rick’s career began with a PhD in Atmospheric Physics before joining the NHS clinical scientist training scheme in 2004.

He describes the role as a chance to use science to help patients, even from behind the scenes, as clinical scientists are often the quiet but vital contributors to patient care.

For Rick, the appeal of medical physics lies in both the structured training and the impact of the work. He describes it as an incredibly rewarding field, especially given how many people are affected by cancer. Rick said: “I really value being able to see research turn into real world benefits for patients.”

His team was the first in the UK to use DoseRT, a development they hope will become available nationwide. DoseRT is a new camera which can monitor the radiation dose being given to cancer patients, the imaging from the cameras will refine the accuracy of treatment.

Dr Ruth Beddows Dr Beddows also studied in astrophysics during her physics degree in 1994, but a career survey pointed her towards medical physics.

She entered the Grade A training route and later completed a PhD in optical coherence tomography, supporting high resolution imaging for patients with Barrett’s oesophagus.

Together, their experiences show the variety of paths into clinical science and the shared

Matthew Barnett, Dr Ruth Beddows and Dr Rick Sims

commitment to improving care. Whether through research, imaging, radiotherapy or background technical work, each of them plays a direct role in supporting patients across the Trust.

Matthew Barnett Matthew is a trainee clinical scientist, who started at SaTH 18 months ago. He is currently training on quality control for the machine used and will qualify as a clinical scientist in radiotherapy physics in 2027.

Eunice Faloye Eunice is a second-year Trainee Specialised Cardiac Physiologist working in the Cardiorespiratory Department, assisting and performing a range of cardiac diagnostic procedures within the department.

She is now training to become a Cardiac Clinical Scientist, learning to perform advanced diagnostic procedures like ECG Analysis, Echocardiogram, Exercise Testing, Angiography, and Cardiac Devices Implantation.

She said: “My journey started in a support role, where I learned the basics of cardiac diagnostics and patient care. I was fascinated by how the heart works when I witnessed an Echocardiogram, and that experience inspired me to pursue training in cardiac physiology.

My goal is to complete my professional accreditation and become a qualified Cardiac Scientist, continue to develop my skills and take part in research that improves patient care and outcomes.”

Jake Evans Jake is an Associate Practitioner in Respiratory and Sleep Services within the Cardiorespiratory department and is training to be a Respiratory Clinical Scientist. Jake said: ”I like the constant patient interaction and the reward of seeing a patient’s treatment having an impact. My advice is to be open minded about what pathway and department to go into. All routes have different interesting things that may suit you when you wouldn’t expect it.”

Some of the cardiac scientist team

Eunice Faloye

Jake Evans

Expert by Experience Talks The Trust will be holding live online sessions with an expert by experience, Alex Manners who is a neurodiversity and autism speaker, Asperger’s champion, presenter and author.

Wednesday 1 April at 1pm is about Autism Communication and Language and Thursday 2 April at 1pm focuses on Autism and Stress. Book you place by emailing Claire.eagleton@nhs.net.

Endometriosis Action Month Go yellow on Wednesday 18 March to celebrate Endometriosis Action Month.

This year, the theme is ‘Endometriosis Doesn’t Wait’. Endometriosis doesn’t wait whilst you’re trying to get a diagnosis or access care. It doesn’t wait for your career. Your education. Your social life or your relationships.

Endometriosis occurs when cells similar to the ones in the lining of the womb (uterus) are found elsewhere in the body. These cells can grow and change in response to hormones in the menstrual cycle, this can cause inflammation, pain and scar tissue.

bowel or bladder. Less commonly, endometriosis can also be found outside the pelvis, such as in the chest.

Endometriosis affects 1 in 10 women and those assigned female at birth from puberty to menopause, although the impact may be felt for life. In the UK, that’s over 1.5 people living with the condition.

Symptoms vary from person to person, some may have severe and debilitating symptoms, others may have no symptoms at all. Symptoms are not always related to the location, amount or the type of endometriosis.

So next Wednesday, put on something yellow and send in a selfie to sath.commsteam@nhs.net.

Endometriosis is most commonly found on the lining of the pelvis (peritoneum) and may occur in the ovaries and involve other pelvic organs, like the

Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist Day Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist Day is celebrated on 14 March and is a chance for us to recognise the skill, compassion and commitment shown by our CNS teams across SaTH. Every one of them plays a key role in supporting patients through diagnosis, treatment and beyond.

Their work touches every part of the cancer pathway, and the case studies below show the range of expertise they bring to our Trust.

Our CNS teams make a real

difference every day. They provide clinical knowledge, emotional support and clear guidance when patients need it most. Their dedication helps people feel listened to, informed and cared for at some of the most difficult moments of their lives.

The stories highlight just some of the work going on across our Trust. They show the pride our teams take in what they do, the challenges they face, and the impact they have on patients and families. Click here to read in full.

Iftar meals across SaTH Last week, the Chaplaincy Team hosted two Iftar meals across SaTH. Iftar is the evening meal served at sunset to break the daily fast during Ramadan. It is a communal, celebratory meal, often starting with dates and water and serves as a time for gratitude, socialising and prayer. This year, our SaTH family from all faiths and world views were invited to share with us in the meal and plenty of them joined in with the celebrations.

International Women’s Day On Sunday 8 March, we celebrated International Women’s Day. It is a good moment to reflect on the difference we can make when we support each other. It is now a year since we launched our Menopause Support Programme, which has already helped many colleagues feel more confident and better understood at work.

The theme for this year, “Give to gain,” fits well with what we have learned over the past year: when we give our time, empathy and practical support, we create a workplace where everyone can thrive. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the programme and to those who continue to champion a more open and supportive culture across our Trust.

Click here to read case studies about women across the Trust.

Your finance questions answered!

With less than 20 days to go until the end of the financial year, we caught up with Adam Winstanley, Acting Director of Finance at SaTH, who answered some of our burning questions. You can watch the short video here or by clicking the image.

We need to hit our financial target this year, and we are currently on track to, so please keep doing everything you can to support! Please visit the intranet for more information.

World Sleep Day World Sleep Day celebrated on 13 March and is an opportunity to promote sleep health.

Each person needs to consider their circumstances individually. Consider:

Some of the benefits of good sleep health include supporting good memory and learning, clearing brain waste, supporting immunity, recycles old cells. Poor sleep health has been linked to obesity, impaired judgement, and lower immunity responses.

The six dimensions of sleep health are the following: • Duration: how much did you sleep over 24 hours?

• Efficiency: how well do you fall asleep and stay asleep?

• Timing: when do you sleep?

• Regularity: do you have consistent sleep and wake times?

• Alertness: do you maintain good focus and attention during waking hours?

• Quality: do you feel satisfied with your sleep?

• Each person’s everyday life is unique, so there is no single method to improve your sleep health.

How can you control your environment for sleep? Your sleep environment is one of the most important factors for good sleep, but it can also be the hardest to control. Control what you can. Minimize light (particularly phone screens); keep the temperature cool; use “white noise” or some other method to control sounds. The most important part is that you are comfortable and able to relax in your sleep space.

When is your bedtime? Plan to make it consistent each day. Regularity is essential!

How much sleep do you get per night? Make at least 7 hours per night your goal.

Do you feel satisfied with your sleep? Record your answers to this question as you work on your sleep health. Track your progress.

No Smoking Day No Smoking Day is held on 11 March 2026; a day to encourage and motivate smokers to quit by providing resources and highlighting the positive impacts.

We understand that stopping smoking can be extremely daunting and cause anxiety and stress for many. To help you, we want to remind you about the local support available to our staff:

By quitting now you can reduce your risk of diseases, and it allows your body to repair itself (after 8 hours oxygen levels can return to normal, after 2 days your lungs start to clear out smoking debris, after 3 days breathing becomes easier, and within weeks your heart attack risks begin to reduce.

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By quitting you are also helping to protect the health of your loved ones as exposure to second-hand smoke increases the risks of health complications such as heart attacks, strokes and cancer.

Financially, you will also benefit from quitting smoking. A 10 a day smoker spending £9 per pack of cigarettes is spending around £1,642 a year, £135 a month, around £31 a week and an incredible £8,212 in five years on cigarettes – money going up in smoke (see here).

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Staff stop smoking drop in clinics will be held every Wednesday from 2-5pm in SERRI, RSH. For more information, contact katie.laffey@ nhs.net Self refer to Telford and Wrekin Help to stop smoking - Telford & Wrekin Council | Help to stop smoking and Shropshire support to stop smoking - Support to stop smoking | Shropshire Council HELP (EAP) offer online resources such as ‘why quitting is so hard’ and ‘staying smoke free after quitting’. To access, visit here On Wednesday 11 March March, Staff Stop Smoking support will be available in Mytton Restaurant.

Recycling scheme to think outside the takeaway box Did you know that takeaway boxes from Mytton Restaurant and Apley Hub are not currently recyclable - and the Trust could save £200,000 a year and reduce carbon emissions by binning them completely and switching to a reusable alternative.

there will be a charge for each non-recyclable, disposable box.

From Monday 2 March we are launching a “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” scheme at Mytton Restaurant.

People have three options to not incur the additional charge - eat in the Mytton Restaurant with crockery provided, bring their own reusable box or return the reusable box.

How does it work: • Staff and visitors are able to pay £5 to join the scheme and receive a token and loyalty card • You can then exchange your token for a reusable container and take away your food to eat • Once finished, return your used container and a token will be returned to you for the next time • Collect a stamp each time you use your token.

Collect 10 and receive 25% off your food bill.

Similar to the carrier bag charges in supermarkets,

There will now be a £1 fee to pay on top of the meal for those people who do not bring a reusable box when they buy their meal.

By switching to the alternative, it means each box can be reused 1,000 times. Not only does it reduce carbon emissions, it also significantly reduces the amount of waste going into incineration and the current boxes are not contaminating recycled waste.

The scheme has launched at Mytton Restaurant and will be extended once the Apley Restaurant reopens. Help us to think outside the takeaway box, and save pennies and the planet.

Climate Clinic Register your interest in the Climate Clinic here.

Greener NHS Carbon Literacy E-Learning Pathway Additional dates have now been added to this pathway, up to May 2026. The Greener NHS Carbon Literacy E-Learning Pathway offers a deep dive into the vital link between climate change and healthcare. This free course is open to all NHS colleagues with a valid NHS email address.

Greener AHP Week: 20-24 April Greener AHP week this year will be taking place on Monday 20 April to Friday 24 April. Take a look at the events that will be happening across the week.

Food Waste Action Week: 9-15 March In March each year, we focus the world’s attention on an important but often unseen climate change issue: food waste.

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Making the most of your food is easier than you think – it’s good for your pocket AND our planet.

This week, we’re challenging you to: • Remix yesterday’s dinner into today’s lunch

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Plan your meals ahead to buy only what you need Use a food caddy for peelings, cores and scraps that can’t be eaten Small changes make a big difference.

Together, we can reduce waste, save money and protect our environment.

Thinking About Cycling to Work?

Lighter nights, rising fuel costs - now’s a great time to make the switch.

The Trust is committed to supporting active travel, and we’re pleased to offer secure cycle shelters across our sites: • RSH: 5 shelters • PRH: 3 shelters • Hollinswood House (HWH): 1 shelter If you’d like access to a secure shelter, please provide: • Type of bike – e.g., hybrid, commuter, racer, mountain, folding, e bike. Include brand and colour.

• Home area – postcode or local district.

• Contact details – department, email address, internal phone number.

• Work location – RSH, PRH, or HWH. Why we ask for this information Over the past 18 months we’ve experienced: • Abandoned bikes left in shelters by staff who no longer wanted them.

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Security concerns, including three attempts by non staff to gain access to the shelters.

This information helps us keep the facilities safe, secure, and available for those who genuinely need them.

Leaving the Trust?

If you no longer need your bike, consider donating it to Re Cycle, a charity that refurbishes bicycles for communities in need (Shropshire Together Community Directory link).

Thinking about an e bike?

Last month, Hurrecane eBikes visited the site, and four staff members signed up for an e bike subscription. Hurrecane are offering Trust staff the chance to lease a brand new e bike from £45 per month, including: • Theft insurance • Servicing • Flexible subscription terms Quote: AX25 when enquiring.

Privacy prams The SaTH Charity would like to express a heartfelt thank you to Victoria and her family, for their incredibly thoughtful donation of a privacy pram, which was donated in honour of their daughter Luna-Seren who was who was born sleeping on 4 January 2020.

This special pram will allow families precious extra time with their little ones and provide privacy when they make their way around the Hospital.

The money for this wonderful gift was raised through a charity ball in honour of Luna’s 5th birthday, and a charity football match. Victoria said, ‘if Luna was here, she would be known, and so we still want people to know her name’.

Victoria and her family have raised an incredible £11,000 in total, which will help make a difference to so many people’s lives.

The ward team is deeply grateful for this meaningful gift and wishes to express their sincere thanks to Luna-Seren’s family for their kindness and compassion.

Meet Henrietta - a superstar with a big heart At just 10 years old, Henriette is taking on an incredible challenge: 100 squats every day for a whole month, starting from Friday 20 February.

She’s raising money for the Neonatal Unit where her mum Suzanne works. The money raised will be go towards mini rubber ducks, which will be given to each baby for their first bath on the Unit. The date will be written on the bottom for families to keep.

Henrietta is also raising money for craft activities that are available in the new parents group; this offers new parents the chance to try something new, whilst getting the opportunity to meet with other new parents and share their experiences.

Suzanne said: “Henrietta decided she wanted a challenge and I knew fundraising for items for parents group we run on Neonatal would be perfect for her. I can’t believe she has raised over £400 already and we still have 3 weeks to go. I am so proud of her” Every squat counts, and every donation helps make a difference, offering our tiniest patients someone to splash with in their first bath, and their families support from others throughout their journey.

Join in, support Henrietta, and help her smash her goal! Click here to see her JustGiving page.

New cot canopies enhance care for preterm babies The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Charity has proudly supported the Neonatal Ward with the introduction of brand-new cot canopies, made possible through generous donations from the community.

These specially designed canopies help babies receive the right amount of light to promote healthy sleep, reduce cortisol levels, and encourage the release of growth hormones. At the same time, they allow staff to continue providing high-quality care efficiently and effectively.

Sleep plays a vital role in the development of preterm babies, and the new canopies create a calm, comfortable environment that supports rest and recovery.

Jessica, an Occupational Therapist on the Neonatal Unit, said: “It is so important to everyone on the Ward that the babies have all the resources they need to help them become stronger and healthier.

The addition of these cot canopies allows us to enhance the level of care we can give them. It

enables them to develop a healthy sleeping pattern in an environment where they can be cared for with ease by everyone.”

Julia Clarke, Director of Public Participation, added: “I am so happy we could support the Neonatal Ward with these cot canopies, which will have such a positive impact on the health and development of our youngest patients.”

The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Charity remains committed to supporting initiatives that improve patient comfort and wellbeing, ensuring the very best start in life for the hospital’s tiniest patients.

Supporting our staff Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Charity have purchased 4 new commercial microwaves for the staff using the Mytton Restaurant at RSH and the Apley Restaurant at PRH. These were purchased using some funds from the Small Things Big Difference Fund which is funded by the Staff Lottery.

These new microwaves have decreased the time that staff are having to wait for their lunches and reduced the queues for the microwaves massively.

Kate Teece, Site Catering Manager, said: “We are grateful for the support charitable funds makes to the catering department on both sites and as a staff member myself and my team that use these microwaves on a regular basis this is very much appreciated.

Thank you SaTH Charity!”

Colleague Notice Board 10 week course Monday 30th March PRH Tuesday 31st March RSH Sessions are running between 10am and 4:30pm

AUTISM REALITY EXPERIENCE

To book a place please email:

Week - Date 1 - 15/04/2026 2 - 22/04/2026 3 - 29/04/2026 4 - 06/05/2026 5 -13/05/2026 6 - 20/05/2026 7 - 03/06/2026 8 - 10/06/2026 9 - 17/06/2026 10 -24/06/2026*

Learn British Sign Language

sath.patientexperience@nhs.net

Step into a short, guided virtual experience which will give you a hands-on experience of the sensory processing difficulties faced by people on the autistic spectrum.

15 Minute Sessions Delivered for 2 colleagues at a time Includes time for brief reflection and opportunity to ask questions

The experience uses sensory equipment and may not be suitable for everyone.

Please do not book a slot if you are: ·pregnant ·living with epilepsy or experience seizures ·experience migraines ·have a heart condition ·have pre-existing ear problems ·have respiratory problems

Easter Egg Prize Draw With Shrewsbury and Telford Health Libraries

Look out for EasterͲegg entry forms around the hospital , or collect from Shrewsbury or Telford Health Libraries from 16th March

Hand in your entry at either library and be entered into a prize draw to win

a big chocolate Easter egg!

Entries must be in by Friday 27 March

Will you be the lucky winner?

One entry per person

* There is an exam in week 10 giving level 1 accreditation

Learn how to communicate with people whose first or preferred language is BSL

Wednesdays from 2pm to 4pm

The Trust is offering an 10 week British Sign Language (BSL) Course

PRH Lecture Theatre Applicants must be patient facing and have the support of their manager to attend

Applicants must be able to attend a minimum of 90% of the sessions

To book contact the Patient Experience Team: sath.patientexperience@nhs.net 01952 641222 extension 5126 Limited places available

STAFF LOTTERY This month ’s winners...

JOIN THE STAFF LOTTERY AND BE IN WITH A CHANCE TO WIN 14 CASH PRIZES EVERY MONTH!

1st £700 Niall Fry, Medical Engineering 2nd £325 Katrina Hall, ENT Outpatients 2nd £325 Michelle Flavell, Upper GI Cancer Services 3rd £175 Dominador Gemino, Pre-Op Assessment 3rd £175 Rebekah Tudor, Improvement Hub 4th £125 Yvonne Draper, Medical Education 4th £125 Fiona Jones, Women and Children’s 5th £100 Shannon Talbot, Ward 11 5th £100 Georgina Hughes, Care of the Older Adult 6th £60 Ellie Hughes, Radiology 6th £60 Amy Harmsworth, Corporate Nursing 6th £60 Candice Wright, Theatres 6th £60 Karen Sargent, PNA 6th £60 Hayley Miaden, Ward 7

Tickets only £1 Payment will be deducted from your salary; winnings are paid into your salary the following month.

Why join our staff lottery?

50% of profits are given out in prizes and the other 50% is adding to our Small Changes Make a Big Difference Fund which is all spent on items for staff.

The SaTH Small Things Make a Big Difference Fund aims to improve the working environment and amenities for all employees.

Click here to download the T&C’s and enter the staff lottery

Thank you

To all in A&E, a big thank you for all you did for mum and given tremendous demands on you all.

It was a tricky time and everyone was patient, kind, professional and you were so tolerant under all the pressures. Great job.